Soldier of Rome: Nova Era: The Artorian Dynasty, #5

By James Mace

A new age has dawned for Rome. Following the brief reign of Emperor Nerva, Marcus Ulpius Trajan inherits the mantle of Caesar. A revered general and statesman, the senate a people of Rome greet his rise with an optimism not seen since the reign of Vespasian.

Tiberius Artorius Castus, whose tenure with the Vigiles of Rome is ending, is summoned by Trajan to the Rhine. The emperor offers him a return to active service with the newly raised Equites Singulares Augusti, more commonly known as the Imperial Horse Guards.

Rome eagerly awaits the arrival of its new, charismatic Caesar, yet Trajan must first secure the Rhine and Danube frontiers. He musters a division for an expedition against the Marcomanni in retribution for their invasion in support of the Pannonia Revolt, six years prior. For Tiberius, the campaign offers a chance at redemption, as the Imperial Horse Guards accompany Trajan across the Danube, into the land of his endless nightmares.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legionary Books
• Release date: Jul 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223521433

James Mace

James Mace is a life-long historian and the author of thirty books, including eleven Ancient History best-sellers, and five South African History best-sellers. He penned the initial draft of his first novel, 'Soldier of Rome: The Legionary', as a cathartic means of escapism while serving in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. His works span numerous eras, from Ancient Rome to the British Empire. James can be reached via his website: www.legionarybooks.net Official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/legionarybooks Twitter: @LegionaryBooks Instagram: www.instagram.com/legionarybooks/

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Soldier of Rome

Nova Era

Book Five of the Artorian Dynasty

James Mace

Electronic Edition Copyright © 2023 by James Mace

All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Characters and events portrayed in this book are based on actual persons and events but are used fictitiously.

Legionary Books

Meridian, Idaho 83642, USA

http://www.legionarybooks.net

First eBook Edition: 2023

Published in the United States of America

Legionary Books

Cover Images by Radoslav Javor, copyright © 2023 by Radoslav Javor and Legionary Books

All other images are licensed through applicable copyright holders or public domain.

Use this sword against my enemies if I give righteous commands. But if I give unrighteous commands, use it against me!

-  Emperor Trajan

––––––––

The Works of James Mace

Note: In each series or combination of series’, all works are listed in chronological sequence

The Artorian Chronicles

Soldier of Rome: The Legionary

Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt

Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion

Soldier of Rome: The Centurion

*Empire Betrayed: The Fall of Sejanus

Soldier of Rome: Journey to Judea

Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign

*Centurion Valens and the Empress of Death

*Slaves of Fear: A Land Unconquered

The Great Jewish Revolt and Year of the Four Emperors

Soldier of Rome: Rebellion in Judea

Soldier of Rome: Vespasian’s Fury

Soldier of Rome: Reign of the Tyrants

Soldier of Rome: Rise of the Flavians

Soldier of Rome: The Fall of Jerusalem

*Die by the Blade

The Artorian Dynasty

*Isle of Mist: A Tale of Ireland and Rome

Soldier of Rome: Empire of the North

Soldier of Rome: Crisis on the Danube

Soldier of Rome: March to Oblivion

Soldier of Rome: The Last Flavian

Soldier of Rome: Nova Era

Soldier of Rome: Beyond the Frontier

Napoleonic Era

Forlorn Hope: The Storming of Badajoz

I Stood with Wellington

Courage, Marshal Ney

The Anglo-Zulu War

Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana

Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorke’s Drift

Lost Souls: The Forgotten Heroes of Eshowe

Cruelty of Fate: The Fight for Khambula

Tears of the Dead: Requiem of the Zulu Kingdom

* Stand-alone novel or novella

Table of Contents

Preface

Cast of Characters

Chapter I: Emperor in All but Name

Chapter II: From the Rhine to Rome

Chapter III: Generational Alliances

Chapter IV: An Uninspired Return

Chapter V: Unrest in the Emperor’s Guard

Chapter VI: A Troublesome New Year

Chapter VII: The Caretaker’s Passing

Chapter VIII: Nerva’s Last Will

Chapter IX: United in Enmity

Chapter X: The Emperor’s Summons

Chapter XI: Bleeding the Frontiers

Chapter XII: Imperial Justice

Chapter XIII: The Imperial Horse Guards

Chapter XIV: Building the Regiment

Chapter XV: The Emperor’s Inspection

Chapter XVI: Find the Enemy’s Strength

Chapter XVII: Touring the Frontier

Chapter XVIII: Skirmish Along the River

Chapter XIX: The Emperor’s Winter Quarters

Chapter XX: Return to Carnuntum

Chapter XXI: Across the Danube

Chapter XXII: Luring the Enemy

Chapter XXIII: A Frantic Clash of Arms

Chapter XXIV: Charge of the Imperial Horse Guards

Chapter XXV: To Condemn or Commend

Chapter XXVI: Philosophies of War

Chapter XXVII: A Hollow Peace

Chapter XXVIII: Caesar’s Return

Chapter XXIX: A New Era

Epilogue: An Old Nemesis Awakens

Preface

A new age has dawned for Rome. Following the brief reign of Emperor Nerva, Marcus Ulpius Trajan inherits the mantle of Caesar. A revered general and statesman, the senate a people of Rome greet his rise with an optimism not seen since the reign of Vespasian.

Tiberius Artorius Castus, whose tenure with the Vigiles of Rome is ending, is summoned by Trajan to the Rhine. The emperor offers him a return to active service with the newly raised Equites Singulares Augusti, more commonly known as the Imperial Horse Guards.

Rome eagerly awaits the arrival of its new, charismatic Caesar, yet Trajan must first secure the Rhine and Danube frontiers. He musters a division for an expedition against the Marcomanni in retribution for their invasion in support of the Pannonia Revolt, six years prior. For Tiberius, the campaign offers a chance at redemption, as the Imperial Horse Guards accompany Trajan across the Danube, into the land of his endless nightmares.

Cast of Characters

Romans:

Tiberius Artorius Castus – A tribune of vigiles, later assigned as deputy commander of the newly-raised Imperial Horse Guards

Imperator Nerva Caesar Augustus – Emperor of Rome, following the assassination of Emperor Domitian

Marcus Ulpius Trajan – Governor of Germania and Prince Imperial of the Roman Empire

Publius Acilius Attianus – A general of auxilia forces and close confidant of Trajan

Lucius Vorenus – Commanding Prefect of the Imperial Horse Guards

Titus Flavius Syphax – An African cavalryman who once served with Tiberius’ father, now one of the two senior centurions of Horse Guards

Vibius Fosselius – Formerly of Legio XXI, who served with Tiberius and Lucifer in Pannonia, now the other ranking centurion of Horse Guards

Attius Suburanus – Friend of Trajan and newly-assigned Prefect of the Praetorian Guard

Claudius Livianus – Praetorian tribune, elevated into the second prefect post

Octavius Capito – Equus secretary to both Nerva and Trajan, used by Trajan to maintain correspondence with Rome during his extended absences

Chapter I: Emperor in All but Name

Bonna, Roman Province of Lower Germania

November, 97 A.D.

Trajan - Wikipedia

Marcus Ulpius Trajan

The Roman fortress of Bonna stood like a gloomy sentinel overlooking the untamed lands east of the river. Late autumn along the Rhine frontier was cold and wet. The leaves had fallen, leaving the dense forests appearing lifeless in the eerily clinging mists. Though the ground rarely froze until late December, the dampness in the air and cold winds coming off the river cut deep. The sun rose late and set early. The skies remained mostly obscured by thick clouds, giving the perception of twilight even at midday.

Despite having been occupied by imperial soldiers since the time of Augustus, the frontier region along the Rhine between Bonna and the Britannic Channel was not formally established as a Roman province until the fourth year of Domitian’s reign. This was two years after his invasion of the neighbouring Chatti tribes just east of the Rhine. Despite being derided by historians and contemporaries for what was an unprovoked attack, firmly established borders now existed between the eastern tribes and the Roman Empire. Greater administrative control was asserted over the Germanic provinces.

For Sertor Gavius Lucifer, commanding tribune of the Fourth Cohort of the Praetorian Guard, he never grew accustomed to the climate along the Rhine. He was a native of Hispania Tarraconensis, known for its pleasant weather and drier climate despite its proximity to the Mediterranean. When he joined the legions during the first year of Vespasian’s reign, Lucifer intended to enlist into the newly raised Legio VII, Gemina, in northern Hispania. He was instead ordered to Mogontiacum in Upper Germania, where he served nearly two decades with the late Legio XXI, Rapax. Bonna was located a hundred miles to the northwest of Mogontiacum, yet the terrain and climate were nearly identical.

Very little changed when the Twenty-First was dispatched to Pannonia following its shameful conduct during the abortive revolt of Lucius Saturnius in Upper Germania. Lucifer had been among the loyalists who defied Saturnius and remained loyal to Domitian. Legio XXI met its tragic end three years later during the Pannonia uprising. Lucifer and the few survivors joined with reinforcements from Hispania and Upper Germania led by Marcus Ulpius Trajan who was later poised to become the next Emperor of Rome.

A period of chaos followed the assassination of Emperor Domitian and murder of one of the praetorian prefects. The aged Senator Marcus Cocceius Nerva was quickly proclaimed emperor by the senate. Though both wise and respected, he’d proven weak in the face of manipulation by the new praetorian prefect, Casperius Aelianus. He was also of frail health with no heir. It was only after much intrigue, political posturing by various factions, and Nerva’s own desire to seal his legacy by naming a strong successor that he named Trajan his adopted son and heir to the principate.

Trajan was still along the Rhine, having been granted joint governorships over both Germanic provinces by Domitian, with nominal control over Belgica. As Lucifer was among the few who’d proven trustworthy, Nerva selected him and a small entourage to deliver the message of Trajan’s adoption. The new prince imperial accepted the news with neither accolades nor false modesty. Knowing of Nerva’s weak physical health, and with influential friends in both the senate and equites, Trajan may have even anticipated being named heir-apparent to the Roman Empire. Whether his adoption was anticipated or if he’d played an active role in making it reality, Trajan would never say.

Lucifer and his companions arrived in Germania in November and had expected to be well on their way back to Rome after a few days. However, orders from the new imperial prince delayed their return to warmer climes.

My old friend, Maximus, used to say that two decades along the Rhine had failed to thicken my Spanish blood, the tribune said as he huddled beneath his travelling cloak.

The man he spoke to was his friend and former protégé, Tribune Tiberius Artorius Castus of the vigiles. Raised in Britannia, Tiberius was more suited to the cool, wet weather. Though he, too, kept his thick cloak tight around the shoulders with the hood raised.

At least we’ll be returning to Rome before winter, the young man reasoned.

Tiberius was also a survivor of the ill-fated Legio XXI, Rapax, destroyed five years earlier. The legion met its brutal end along the Raba River when overwhelmed by tens-of-thousands of Pannonian rebels, Marcomanni and Quadi warriors, as well as a corps of Rhoxolani armoured cavalry. Only around two hundred of the legion’s 5,000 soldiers escaped across the Raba Bridge, with Gavius Lucifer being the last. His extreme bravery in keeping enemy pursuers at bay saved several badly injured legionaries and those carrying them across the bridge. This act of selflessness earned him the coveted civic crown. Tiberius was a staff tribune who, during the legion’s final moments, was ordered by Legate Flavius Silva to save the sacred eagle, just minutes before the general’s death.

Emperor Domitian had despatched Trajan with an army from both Hispania and Germania to quell the rebellion and reinforce Legio XXI. Trajan lamented he’d arrived too late to save the legion by mere days. Admiring Tiberius and Lucifer’s bravery, Trajan took them onto his staff, along with a decurion named Vibius Fosselius from the Twenty-First’s mounted wing. Fosselius was the only other officer above the rank of decanus to survive the disaster.

Faced with a vast imperial army and having suffered mightily in the vanquishing of Legio XXI, the Pannonian rebels and their Germanic allies were quickly routed by Trajan’s forces. Knowing the volatile Danube frontier needed a strong hand, Emperor Domitian rescinded Trajan’s governorship over Hispania Tarraconensis and named him governor over both Pannonia and Germania Superior, with the provinces of Noricum and Raetia falling under his nominal control. This placed Tiberius and Lucifer under the patronage of the most powerful man in Rome outside of the emperor.

The two friends travelled with Trajan between his provinces for the next two years. The governor-general rewarded each man with a letter of introduction to aid them in seeking their next assignments. Tiberius knew his best opportunities within the cursus honorum of an Equus lay in Rome. Lucifer retired from the legions with his rank and accumulated wealth elevating him into the equites. His letter from Trajan, coupled with his decades with the legions and awards for valour unexpectedly saw him assigned as commanding tribune of a cohort within the Praetorian Guard.

His young friend was granted a staff position within the city vigiles, though this often involved rather distasteful tasks, such as selling convicted criminals to the slave markets and overseeing executions. Before departing for Rome, Tiberius was also given a subtle and certainly unofficial assignment by Acilius Attianus, a close friend and confidant of Trajan’s, to serve as the governor’s ‘eyes and ears’ within the capital. Much to his surprise, Tiberius possessed a keen knack for building a reliable and clandestine network of informants, utilising a section of vigiles assigned as his personal orderlies.

Over the next two years, he and Lucifer rarely saw each other, only coming together during the chaos that followed the assassination of Emperor Domitian and the perplexing elevation of Marcus Cocceius Nerva to the principate. Despite their reservations about Nerva, owing to his age and indecisiveness, they remained ever loyal. An assassination attempt was thwarted, in part, by information gained by Tiberius’ spy network. And when the praetorian prefect, Casperius Aelianus, essentially held the emperor hostage until he agreed to execute Domitian’s killers, it was Lucifer and a small band of devoted praetorian officers who openly defied their commanding officer on the emperor’s behalf. Though they’d been too late to halt Nerva’s shameful humiliation, the aged princeps was still grateful for their loyalty.

It was owing to their earned trust, as well as Trajan’s patronage, that Nerva assigned Tiberius and Lucifer to the small entourage who would inform the man who was now governor over both Germanic provinces that he would one day become emperor. Trajan was also granted unprecedented titles and authorities with Nerva all but abdicating.

For his part, Trajan was taking his time, processing the meaning behind his new powers, and being granted the title of Caesar. As politically savvy as he was militarily, the prince imperial ordered the delegation from Rome to wait for additional instructions before returning to the capital.

Tiberius mused, This little trek has allowed us to reunite with our old patron. It’s also an opportunity to acquaint ourselves with some who will soon be part of the imperial court.

Licinius Sura’s already taken me into his confidence, Lucifer remarked. He said we need more Mediterranean Spaniards at court.

Ah, feels a kinship with you, does it?

Lucifer shrugged. "We’re both natives of Hispania Tarraconensis’ eastern coast. Albeit he’s from Tarraco and I was raised further south near Dianium. And it’s not as if our families would have been friendly acquaintances even if we shared the same home city. The gens Licinia have been members of the patrician class for centuries. Sura’s ancestors first achieved the consulate over four hundred years ago. And Sura himself served as consul three years ago. My father was a dockworker who could barely afford our tiny, one-room flat with its splintery floors and a warped door that never closed properly. There was scarcely room for he, my mother, and I."

I suppose that is why you never had any siblings, Tiberius said, eliciting a chuckle from Lucifer.

He often forgot the vast differences between he and the man who’d been both mentor and close friend for the past five years. The Artorians were newer equites, with Tiberius’ grandfather and great-grandfather earning the family’s elevation. Because his grandfather had lacked the means for both his sons to enter the cursus honorum of an Equus, only Tiberius’ uncle was granted the privilege. Tiberius’ father, Gaius Artorius Armiger, began his own career as a legionary. He attested into the equites upon the death of his older brother during the Year of the Four Emperors. Tiberius and his two sisters were born into the class never knowing the squalor and hardship of their nearest ancestors. While they were considered Rome’s lesser-noble class, their life was still completely removed from the common plebs who made up most of the Roman Empire’s seventy-million inhabitants. Lucifer was that extreme rarity who’d lived in both worlds. He’d risen from the working class, retiring from the legions at an exalted rank, while amassing a sufficient fortune to purchase his membership into the equites. Being in his early forties and still possessing a robust constitution, Lucifer had many years of potential service remaining. The Praetorian Guard allowed him the familiarity of military life, while remaining in the capital and enjoying a more comfortable living than along the frontier.

I suppose it is our shared ethnic blood that helps Sura forget my rather modest origins, Lucifer speculated. He’s also an experienced soldier who lauds his centurions in First Minervia.

Trajan has named Sura Governor of Lower Germania, Tiberius recalled. "And I expect he’ll name his own replacement in Upper Germania soon. With Nerva granting him the imperium, our new prince imperial can control the entire northern empire without needing to tie himself to a single province."

"Let us not forget, the emperor also granted him the tribunician," Lucifer added, referring to the title which allowed one to veto any legislation enacted by the senate.

Something almost unheard of, Tiberius said. Emperor Tiberius never trusted Germanicus with the tribunician, even after adopting him as his heir and granting him total control over the eastern provinces.

And he himself was only given the authority two years before Augustus’ death, when he was named co-princeps. Titus was granted the tribunician by Vespasian, though he remained in the capital and was never granted imperium within the provinces.

The young tribune then recalled a phrase uttered by Sura as soon as they’d received Nerva’s despatch. By granting him both imperium and tribunician, Nerva has all but abdicated.

Trajan will have more than the frontiers to control before long, Lucifer conjectured. He has become Emperor in all but name. You saw Nerva. His health was failing long before the senate granted him the principate.

I expect they did so to placate those still loyal to Domitian, Tiberius added. And they viewed him as harmless. Though this failed spectacularly when he declined to punish Domitian’s killers. I, at first, thought Trajan’s elevation was a foregone conclusion. My assumptions were both naïve and biased. In the wake of Domitian’s murder, there are plenty of ambitious senators who think they should become Caesar.

And this opinion may not change regardless of Nerva’s decision, his friend remarked. "My commanding prefect’s little uprising exposed the emperor as weak and ineffectual. Even amongst the ranks of our most loyal guardsmen I’ve heard it said, ‘If Nerva cannot command his own guard, how can he rule an empire?’ Regrettably, I find it impossible to fault their reasoning, even if I do savagely chastise those who openly speak so insolently. I’ve even ordered my centurions to impose fines upon any who publicly disrespect the emperor."

Nerva’s weakness may embolden Trajan’s rivals, Tiberius added. If he does become emperor, it will be more through his natural charisma and strength than his adoption by Nerva.

As the sun broke through the clinging mist, his friend stared into the distance, his mind wandering to a different time and place.

I sometimes miss the naivety of the legions, Lucifer confessed. We served an emperor we would never know and protected a city we would never see. Only the senatorial officers and those within the centurionate who moved between multiple legions were able to appreciate the vastness of the Empire. I was in complete awe when I made the trek from Hispania to Germania as an adolescent legionary recruit, never fully reckoning this was but a fraction of Rome’s dominions.

And you willingly laid down your lives for both Emperor and Empire, because you believed you were part of something greater, Tiberius speculated.

Lucifer countered, More so we didn’t starve in the gutter. Gaius Marius reformed the army two hundred years ago because Rome had grown too large. No longer a city-state in Italia, it couldn’t rely on part-time legions consisting of those with assessed property. Rome needed a permanent standing army, and the poorest of the poor needed to eat. Creating a full-time professional fighting force alleviated both demands. The brutality of recruit training and harsh discipline instituted by the legions becomes more palpable when you’ve never known when your next meal would be, or for how long you’ll have a place to sleep. A flogging for poor conduct pales in comparison to the fear and pain of slow starvation.

He then returned to his previous thought. I didn’t come from poverty, and I had an education. Literacy is what hastened my rise through the ranks.

It was the same with my family, Tiberius recalled. "My great-grandfather, who we sometimes refer to as The First Artorius, was just twenty-two when promoted to decanus. Though one must be at least thirty to be eligible for centurion, I was told he achieved this rank at twenty-seven."

He was with the Twentieth Legion, wasn’t he? Lucifer asked.

Tiberius nodded. He was. Between the wars against Arminius in retribution for Teutoburger Wald and the Frisian Rebellion a decade later, I expect high casualties amongst the officers contributed to his rapid rise through the ranks.

It is a tragic reality of our profession, Lucifer remarked. He then paused in thought. And the higher I rose, the more political it became, especially once I reached centurion. Yet, even when I attested into the First Cohort, with a seat at the commanding legate’s supper every night, I never understood just how far removed we were from the machinations of imperial governance.

And now you have a seat at the emperor’s table, Tiberius said. He then remarked, "You’ve risen far since you were Legionary Lucifer."

Tribune Lucifer! a voice called behind them.

They turned to see Licinius Sura walking towards them. He also wore his heavy cloak, though the hood was pulled back with a wool cap pulled over his ears.

Sir? the praetorian asked.

Caesar requests your immediate presence. Sura then nodded to Tiberius. He did not mention you, Tribune Artorius; however, I expect he will wish to see you as well.

The two men followed Sura along the cobblestone road which bisected the fortress. Despite the inclement weather, daily life continued for the men of Legio I, Minervia. Sentries manned the ramparts and watchtowers. Labour details consisting of both soldiers and slaves conducted endless details or building maintenance, defence repairs, and refuse collection. Perhaps the worst of these tasks, usually assigned as punishment for disciplinary infractions, involved disposing of animal scat from horses and draught animals. A stench-ridden cart was pulled by a pair of slaves, while a trio of soldiers shovelled the waste. The vile nature of their task, coupled with the cold drizzle, led to endless mutterings of colourful profanity.

Be glad it’s not sewer maintenance, Tiberius said as they passed the men, one of whom had just remarked about sodomising a certain centurion’s wife.

The soldier turned to issue a harsh rebuke, then quickly lowered his head. He tried obscuring his face, lest he find himself in even greater trouble. Both Tiberius and Lucifer stifled the urge to laugh as they heard one of the man’s companions cuff him across the back of the head.

Dumbass! Watch what you say in front of the officers!

Just be glad they’re not ours or you’d be doubly fucked, the third soldier remarked.

And dragging us into the shit tunnels with you, his companion added.

Was it ever like that for you? Tiberius asked, once they were out of earshot of the disgruntled soldiers.

I had the periodic cockup, same as any dumb shit who joins the ranks in their late teens, Lucifer said. Only had to do animal scat detail once, and that was in the middle of summer. That was nearly thirty years ago, but I still recall the stench and incessant swarms of flies.

Their banter was interrupted upon reaching the principia. Legionaries in rain-soaked cloaks stood to either side of the entrance, leaning against their pila and shields encased in leather rain covers. Each man looked utterly miserable. It was a reminder to Tiberius of the different world in which plebian soldiers lived.

Being an Equus, he’d come to the army as a tribune. And though the responsibilities and stress were immense, never would he have to stand guard in the freezing rain. Nor could he ever be flogged. Such punishments were only for the lowest ranks. Monetary fines and immediate sacking were typical for an officer who showed incompetence. A capital sentence could also be passed upon any leader who quit the field while even a single soldier under their command was in danger. Though he could never suffer corporal punishment nor perform manual labour, Tiberius, and every officer in the imperial army above the rank of decanus endured far greater dangers in battle. Roman society demanded they lead by example and never show any sign of cowardice. That they wore distinctive armour and helmet crests ensured that officers, particularly centurions, suffered a higher fatality rate than legionaries or auxilia troopers. At the Battle of Gergovia, one of Julius Caesar’s rare defeats during the Gallic Conquest, centurions made up approximately one in every seventy soldiers, yet accounted for one in every ten casualties.

As the officers entered the principia, servants took their cloaks. There was a biting chill inside the large foyer with orderlies wrapped in cloaks, some wearing wool gloves. Wax tablets hung off nails in the pillars with various reports or supply requests. A great parchment with many scribblings in charcoal denoted the disbursement of soldiers detached from the fortress, as well as a summary of those on the sick list.

Tiberius and Lucifer followed Sura to the very back of the great chamber. A pair of soldiers at the door to the legate’s office came to attention before one knocked. He waited for a confirming, Come! before opening the door.

Trajan was waiting for them inside. A brazier heated the room to the point it felt like the sauna of a bathhouse. As such, the prince imperial wore only his tunic and sandals. He was also completely alone; no officers, soldiers, clerks, freedmen, or even slaves. A row of scrolls lay along the centre table where a red candle burned. Trajan was dripping wax and pressing his signet ring to seal each in turn.

You sent for us, Caesar? Lucifer asked.

I did, Tribune Lucifer, Trajan replied, his eyes still cast down as he sealed another scroll and laid it next to the others.

He then looked up for a moment, glanced over to Tiberius, and gave a subtle nod as if deciding that he would be allowed to stay.

Sura closed the door behind them.

I know you expected to be on your way to Rome as soon as you delivered the news of my adoption, Trajan said. But I had several matters to sort first. Should the emperor depart this life while I remain along the frontier, it could be months before any reasonable communication is established, especially during winter. He then gestured to the sealed scrolls upon the table. I am entrusting these to your care, Tribune Lucifer. They contain instructions for the consuls, senate, imperial household, city prefect, and Praetorian Guard. They are to be circulated from the moment of Emperor Nerva’s passing. Though formality will delay their full legality until after the senate confirms my ascension into the principate.

I am honoured to hold your trust, Caesar, the tribune replied.

Trajan then handed him a pair of scrolls. One was unsealed, which he first acknowledged. These are your instructions. It designates you alone as the keeper of my directives, and they are to be entrusted to no other.

Especially not Aelianus, Lucifer thought privately.

Trajan pointed to the sealed scroll. This will tell you all you need to know once Emperor Nerva joins the gods. He then looked to Tiberius. "Tribune Artorius, your service with the vigiles was, shall we say, noteworthy."

Tiberius did not reply. Trajan’s inflections were subtle, though the young tribune knew he was not referring to his mundane and distasteful duties of selling convicts to slavers or executing traitors. He did not know what, if any, useful information his reports gave Trajan over the previous two years. He flattered himself in assuming that, in the very least, they showed he was reliable and resourceful. And it had been his informants who uncovered the assassination plot against Emperor Nerva. This had earned him the princeps’ trust and may have been why he was sent with Lucifer to Trajan.

Your previous service with the Twenty-First Legion has also not been forgotten. Trajan gazed at Tiberius for an added second emphasising this point, though he said no more.

A satchel used by imperial couriers sat on the table. Lucifer gathered up the scrolls and placed them within. Tiberius could not begin to speculate what the directives said. Most were likely administrative and routine, simply a matter of ensuring there were no drastic changes to governing policy until Trajan returned to Rome.

There would also be the matter of establishing an immediate grip upon the principate, should disgruntled supporters of other possible imperial candidates, such as Gaius Maternus, attempt to invalidate Emperor Nerva’s will. What’s more, Trajan could not simply return to Rome for the time being. Even if he used his imperium to replace both governorships he currently held, there was no telling how long Nerva would live. Yes, he was old and frail. But Augustus had been of weak health his entire life, and he nearly reached age seventy-six; nine years older than Rome’s current ruler.

And as both Tiberius and Lucifer understood, the Rhine was not the Empire’s only volatile frontier. An entire legion was lost in Pannonia. Such numbers of experienced soldiers were difficult to replace. Both Domitian and Nerva, largely following the advice of Trajan, had repositioned four legions and roughly 20,000 auxilia soldiers to the province. This required drawing from Rome’s other hostile frontiers, most notably neighbouring Moesia. The Kingdom of Dacia lay just across the Danube. They had proven to be Rome’s greatest adversary in generations. Trajan knew there were risks involved in repositioning forces away from the Dacian border but reckoned he’d had little choice. By treaty, they were a client kingdom and were years away from replenishing the fearful losses they’d suffered during the war with Rome. Eventually, however, the Dacian problem would need to be sorted.

Raising new legions and auxilia regiments was no simple matter, as Domitian learned when he founded Legio I, Minervia. Owing to the enormous costs of maintaining a professional army, Rome simply did not have the financial resources